One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures exhibit distinct properties that vary from those of bulk materials. They provide significant benefits in designing next-generation batteries due to facile electronic and ionic transport and strong tolerance to stress changes. Thus, contributing to the high performance of energy storage systems.
A review article published in Advanced Functional Materials systematically reviewed the latest research on rechargeable battery-based 1D nanostructures. This review highlighted a few important 1D nanostructuring methods and summarized in situ 1D nanostructure-based structural characterizations that facilitate atomic-scale monitoring of the structural evolution dynamics and reaction kinetics of electrode materials.
The stabilization of metal anodes and 1D nanostructuring in solid-state electrolytes have also been highlighted because they are not only vital for prevailing battery research trends but are also rarely covered in earlier studies.
1D Nanostructures in Batteries
Low-dimensional nanomaterials have unique properties that are not observed in macroscale materials and have applications in rechargeable batteries. Electrode materials with 1D nanostructures facilitate fast ion or electron transport, along with large contact areas between the electrode and electrolyte.
Incorporating 1D nanostructures with hierarchical, interfacial, or tubular porous geometries further accelerates electrochemical reactions by providing several active sites, short ion diffusion lengths, and strain relaxation.
The high aspect ratio of 1D nanostructures enables self-integration, which promotes the development of three-dimensional (3D) functional structures for additional battery components. However, such self-integration is unachievable through zero-dimensional (0D) or two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures owing to their low aspect ratio.
1D nanostructures stabilized metal anodes in rechargeable batteries by rendering lithiophilic 3D interlinked nanofiber-based scaffolds, which facilitate uniform metal deposition, enhance stability during stripping and metal plating, and provide adequate channels for ion transportation.
Additionally, 1D nanostructures offer novel experimental techniques and tools for the practical determination of the physicochemical characteristics of electrode materials, providing guidelines for developing high-performance batteries.
Synthetic Methodologies Towards 1D Nanostructures and Their Limitations
Among the methodologies for synthesizing 1D nanostructures, solvothermal and hydrothermal synthetic strategies face several challenges, including structural predictability and control, which remain elusive in compositionally complex systems obtained via these synthetic routes. Hence, it is challenging to synthesize amorphous structures using solvothermal and hydrothermal methods.
Moreover, the formation and evolution mechanisms of various inorganic semiconducting nanostructures have been limited to hypothetical interpretations. Thus, integrating in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or X-ray diffraction (XRD) into an autoclave enables the observation of reaction dynamics during crystal formation.
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is more favorable than the solvothermal or hydrothermal synthesis of 1D nanostructures because it allows precise or controlled synthesis. Moreover, their low production efficiency can be fixed by increasing the heating zones of the device to produce sufficient material. Although most CVD processes occur at high temperatures, synthesizing 1D nanostructures via plasma-enhanced CVD enables the process at a lower temperature.
On the other hand, the key advantages of the electrodeposition approach are low-temperature synthesis and applicability to diverse metal substrates. Nevertheless, this method is limited by the difficulty in uniformly controlling the morphology. In addition, it is challenging to employ an insulating substrate for electrodeposition using a template or a template-free method.
Although the sol-gel process is efficient, it requires a high-quality gel precursor and additional post-reaction steps to remove by-products. Electrospinning selectively facilitates the production of continuous 1D nanofibers. However, the insolubility of polymer precursors restricts their adaptability.
Alternatively, 3D printing and lithography techniques are the latest methods for preparing highly porous micro-sized lattice structures. However, these methods are limited by a lack of reliable processes for obtaining sufficient yields, a lack of suitable materials, and multistep processes in lithography techniques. Thus, by overcoming these limitations, 3D nano-printing and lithography techniques can achieve substantial development in terms of utilization and productivity in the design of energy devices.
Scope of 1D Nanostructures in Batteries
Novel battery systems such as spin- and quantum-phase batteries can be developed using 1D nanostructures. While conventional batteries provide a sustained voltage bias that can power electronic circuits by storing chemical energy, a phase-coherence-based quantum phase battery offers a quantum circuit wave function with persistent phase bias.
Owing to the unique characteristics of quantum mechanics, researchers have anticipated that batteries in the quantum phase would experience faster charging. Using 1D nanostructures has also proven the viability of rechargeable spin batteries. By applying a strong magnetic field to nanomagnets in a magnetic tunnel junction, spin batteries may store energy in magnets rather than through chemical processes.
Thus, 1D nanostructures provide enormous potential for developing new batteries and serve as a foundation for studying electrochemical dynamics using in situ or operando characterization techniques.
Conclusion
In summary, 1D nanostructures have substantially contributed to advances in battery science. The short pathways of ion or electron transport, large surface areas, and the ability for effective strain relaxation of 1D nanostructures offer excellent electrochemical performances that are not found in bulk materials.
Furthermore, constructing a nanoscale probe with a single 1D nanostructure helps investigate the electrochemical dynamics and fundamental mechanism with high resolution. This will contribute to the development of future batteries.
In addition to electrochemical analysis, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology is expected to contribute to significant advancements in 1D nanostructuring for real-world battery applications.
News
Global Warming and Plastic Pollution Are Inextricably Trapped in a “Vicious Circle”
Typically viewed as unrelated problems, global warming and plastic pollution are instead inextricably trapped in a “vicious circle” where one feeds the other, researchers in Sweden report in Nature Communications. The mutually-reinforcing relationship escalates global [...]
Primordial Fuel: Uncovering Hydrogen’s Role at the Origin of Life
Hydrogen gas, dubbed the energy of the future, has been providing energy since 4 billion years ago. A recent study reveals how hydrogen gas, often touted as the energy source of tomorrow, provided energy [...]
COVID-19 Had a Much Greater Impact on Life Expectancy Than Previously Thought
A recent study published in The Lancet never-before-seen unprecedented details on the exceptionally high death rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic both within nations and internationally. Regions including Mexico City, Peru, and Bolivia experienced some of the most [...]
Molecular Majesty: This Is How the Body’s Building Blocks Are Made
Human cells contain ribosomes, a complex machine that produces proteins for the rest of the body. Now the researchers have come closer to understanding how the ribosome works. “It is amazing that we can [...]
U.S. issue warning about return of potentially deadly virus
The American South has been under constant duress from extreme weather events spurred by rising global temperatures, but the region could face a different kind of threat that it hasn't experienced in over a century: yellow fever. [...]
Climate Change Ignites Global Infectious Disease Alarm
Experts highlight the connection between climate change and infectious diseases, urging medical professionals to prepare for new disease patterns and advocate for climate action. A team of infectious diseases experts called for more awareness [...]
How Lignin Nanoparticles Enhance UV Protection in Sunscreen Formulas
The innovative realm of cosmetic science has recently spotlighted lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) for their exceptional potential in fortifying sun protection measures within skincare products. These nanoparticles are celebrated for their superior ability to block [...]
mRNA lipid nanoparticles for next-generation oral cancer tumor suppressor therapy
A study aiming to develop a lipid nanoparticles (LNP) platform for treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) utilizing p53 mRNA was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction [...]
Scientists have literally cut HIV out of cells
HIV has been completely eliminated from cells in a laboratory, raising hopes of a future cure. Researchers completed the revolutionary task by using a gene-editing tool known as Crispr-Cas, which won the Nobel Prize in 2020, [...]
Common Medication Could Save Half a Million Lives Each Year – So Why Isn’t It?
A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California sheds light on the reasons why children are not receiving an affordable and effective diarrhea treatment. Medical professionals in developing nations are [...]
X Marks the Spot: AI’s Treasure Maps Lead to Early Disease Detection
Medical diagnostics expert, doctor’s assistant, and cartographer are all fair titles for an artificial intelligence model developed by researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. Their new model accurately identifies tumors [...]
Scientists Discover Method To Identify Alzheimer’s Disease Before It Progresses to Dementia
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a method to identify Alzheimer’s disease before it progresses to dementia, potentially opening up new avenues for treatment. A groundbreaking study could pave the way for early detection [...]
Startling Discovery: COVID-19 Virus Can Stay in the Body More Than a Year After Infection
The COVID-19 virus can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the illness has ended, according to new research from UC San Francisco that offers potential [...]
New bioengineered protein design shows promise in fighting COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have been racing to develop effective treatments and preventatives against the virus. A recent scientific breakthrough has emerged from the work of researchers aiming to combat [...]
Sugar-coated gold nanoparticles can quickly eliminate bacterial infections, no antibiotics required
If left to their own devices, bacteria on our teeth or wounded skin can encase themselves in a slimy scaffolding, turning into what is called biofilm. These bacteria wreak havoc on our tissue and, [...]
Liquid Lightning: Nanotechnology Unlocks New Energy
EPFL researchers have discovered that nanoscale devices harnessing the hydroelectric effect can harvest electricity from the evaporation of fluids with higher ion concentrations than purified water, revealing a vast untapped energy potential. Evaporation is a natural [...]